All about Pearls

Tips for choosing good quality pearls

Choosing good quality pearls can be tricky for the uninitiated. The basic areas to look at are size, luster (shininess), shape, surface appearance (the fewer flaws, the better), and whether the pearls match. One trick to check a number of these factors easily is to take the strand of pearls and gently roll it back and forth on a clean, dry surface. Many imperfections in shape and surface appearance can be discovered by using this method that would not be immediately obvious when just viewing the pearl strand alone. By rolling the pearls back and forth, you can see all sides of the pearls, which is very helpful in checking for flaws, seeing how truly round the pearls are, and evaluating the luster of the pearls.

Another helpful technique in pearl evaluation is to drape the strand of pearls over your wrist to see how the color of the pearl matches your skin tone. This is much more accurate than holding the strand of pearls up to your neck and it also allows you to see the pearls from a much closer distance.

I learned these techniques in a pearl class I took in Beijing, China and they have helped me immensely in my work as a pearl buyer. If you are interested in checking out my wares, my online store is www.chinafinds.com. Happy pearl shopping!

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What is Chinese Red Coral?

Chinese red coral is genuine coral that has been dyed in order to brighten the natural color of the coral or to give it greater color uniformity. It is real coral and it makes lovely jewelry.  Some coral is naturally red, but such coral is rare and commands a much higher price.  Dyed coral allows you to enjoy the beauty, texture and warmth of real coral without the hefty pricetag.

Interested in Chinese red coral? Check out great deals on coral necklaces on www.chinafinds.com.

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What is Cloisonne?

Cloisonne is an ancient Chinese decorative technique that has delighted people for centuries. It is used in jewelry, but it is also used to create various decorative objects such as plates, bowls, boxes and vases. To create a cloisonne item, wires are first placed on the item in the desired design and then the spaces in between are filled with successive layers of colored enamel. Finally, the item is fired and polished. The result is a uniquely beautiful artwork with an Asian flair.
Interested in cloisonne? Check out cloisonne bracelets on www.chinafinds.com

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What is Cinnabar?

Cinnabar, also known as Chinese Lacquer, is a famous type of Chinese handicraft. Traditionally, cinnabar items were created by painting multiple layers of lacquer onto an item,letting the item dry between each coat, and then carving the resulting layers of lacquer into beautiful patterns. Cinnabar gets its name from the toxic red mineral cinnabar (mercury sulfide) that was once used to give the distinctive red color to the lacquer used in the process. Today, so-called cinnabar jewelry is formed from a dyed red resin that contains no harmful cinnabar. However, the look is largely the same.
Interested in cinnabar? Check out cinnabar bracelets on www.chinafinds.com.

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What’s the deal with pearl sizes?

Pearls are usually measured in millimeters (mm), and the measurement is of the diameter of the pearl. Because pearls are a natural product, sizes are not uniform, so a pearl necklace or bracelet is usually labeled as being within a certain range of millimeters, typically within 1 millimeter in size. The smallest freshwater pearls that you usually see for sale are 5 to 6 mm in diameter and the largest are 12 to 13 mm. At ChinaFinds, our related online jewelry store, we carry a variety of sizes, from smaller pearls at 6.5 - 7.5 mm to our larger, more substantial pearls in the 11 - 12 millimeter range. A nice, mid-level size are our popular 8.5 to 9.5 mm pearls.

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What are the different kinds of pearl shapes?

Shapes are one of the areas where there is more room for variety. Roundness is always good, but other shapes of pearls are valued as well. Pearl shapes can be divided into three categories: spherical, symmetrical, and baroque.

• Spherical pearls can be either perfectly round or so-called ‘near-round’ pearls. Saltwater cultured pearls, as they are seeded with a round bead to begin with, are much more likely to be perfectly round than freshwater cultured pearls. Perfectly round freshwater pearls are very uncommon, but there are many ‘near-round’ freshwater cultured pearls. Near-round pearls may be slightly flattened or slightly elongated in shape.
• Symmetrical pearls include oval pearls, drop pearls and button pearls. Oval pearls, as their name suggests, are oval in shape and can be particularly stunning when used in a long rope of pearls. Drop pearls are best described as pear shaped or teardrop shaped and are frequently used in earrings. Button pearls are flattened and coin shaped and are also often used in earrings.
• Baroque pearls are pearls that have grown into asymmetrical, irregular shapes. They are usually the least expensive of all pearls, but some people find their unique shapes to have a charm all their own.

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What are the different lengths of pearl necklaces?

According to most sources, the classic pearl necklace lengths are:

• Choker: 14-16 inches long
• Princess: 16-18 inches long
• Matinee: 20-25 inches long
• Opera: 28-36 inches long
• Rope: 37 inches long or longer

At www.chinafinds.com, you can find variety of lengths to suit various occasions and outfits.

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